USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview

Published on February 28, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


What, No Friday?

Excluding the USHL's Christmas break, the Black Hawks have played every Friday since the beginning of December. However, Waterloo's typical weekend pattern is set aside this weekend with the Hawks on the road for games on Saturday and Sunday. Opening in Lincoln at 6:05 p.m Saturday, it will be Waterloo's first trip to the Ice Box in 2022/23. During the home portion of the season series, the Hawks successfully protected home ice, posting a 3-0-0 record against the Stars. Then Sunday, a 3:05 p.m. game at Tyson Events Center will be Waterloo's fourth against the Sioux City Musketeers this winter. The Hawks' 3-0-0 mark versus the Muskies includes a 4-3 shootout result January 7th during the only road game in the series so far.

Picks All Over the Place

New Black Hawks defenseman Garrett Brown is a draft pick of the Winnipeg Jets. He joins a team already featuring four other players who have been drafted: Nate Benoit (Minnesota), Emmett Croteau (Montreal), Miko Matikka (Arizona), and Sam Rinzel (Chicago). Waterloo has never simultaneously had five previously-drafted players on the roster at the same time. Brown's addition breaks a tie with the 2007/08 Hawks team. That season's roster included Jan-Mikael Juutilainen (Chicago), Blake Kessel (New York Islanders), John Lee (Florida), and Drew MacKenzie (Buffalo).

Road Improvements

This weekend, the Black Hawks go into a pair of hostile environments with the chance to surpass last season's road win total. During 2021/22's true road games (excluding neutral site matchups), Waterloo was 10-19-1. So far this season, the Hawks are 10-7-1 under the same circumstances. Twelve of Waterloo's remaining games this year will be away from Young Arena.

They're All Clutch

Last Friday, Owen Baker scored a game-winning overtime goal against the Fargo Force. Saturday facing the Omaha Lancers, it was Miko Matikka who lifted the Hawks to a win during the extra frame. The two forwards became the 14th and 15th different Black Hawks to score a decisive goal in 2022/23. Adding in Waterloo's three shootout wins, 17 individual players have been responsible for a difference-making shot this season.

Recent Games

The Black Hawks celebrated two very different 4-3 overtime wins last week. Friday, Owen Baker and Garrett Schifsky each scored twice as Waterloo overcame a 3-0 deficit against the Fargo Force. Saturday, the Hawks had three separate one-goal leads in regulation against the Omaha Lancers. Schifsky scored in both games. Myles Hilman, Griffin Erdman, and Miko Matikka also had goals Saturday.

For complete box scores from previous Black Hawks games, visit ushl.com.

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2023


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